Ever wondered what it would be like to climb into the ring and learn how to be a professional wrestler? Well, a Toronto-based promotion is giving fans a chance to find out.

During the weekend of November 29 - 30, the folks at Squared Circle Training will be teaching Torontonians the ins and outs of the wrestling business. Everything from taking bumps, to in-ring psychology, to cutting promos will be covered.

The project is the brainchild of Laury Silvers, whose passion for wrestling is obvious after a short conversation with her.

"I talked my way into a seminar a few years ago even though I was just a fan," Silvers told SLAM! Wrestling. "I learned some of the fundamentals. It was fantastic. I ended up finding a trainer who was willing to take me on even though
I had no aspirations to become a worker. I reckon I couldn't be the only one out there. And I'm not. We have had great interest in the camp, not just from fans wanting to step into the ring for the weekend but also from potential wrestlers. At the camp, we'll be working with the fans and the potential wrestlers according to their skill levels and aspirations. Who knows, a potential wrestler could find out he is just a fan and a fan could find out that she is a potential wrestler! It's all good. We just want to have a great time in a supportive, safe environment."

Burt Hurt, one of the Squared Circle Inc. owners, explained the motive behind their latest endeavour.

"[It] started as a brainchild from Laury Silvers which we began to run with. [We] thought there are enough fans out there who may want to actually step in the ring and experience both the fact and fiction of professional wrestling. Rob [Fuego] and I began training back in 1989 with Ron Hutchison and Sweet Daddy Siki and would have ate an opportunity like this up, so we thought why not give it a try since we have been running a successful wrestling school since 2000. Not to mention the NHL, MLB, NBA and even UFC are doing like events with great success so why not tap into the great Canadian fanbase of wrestling too?"

Rob "El Fuego" Etcheverria will be running the camp from the inside of the ring, as well as handling the seminars. "We will have a host of wrestlers from BSEpro (www.bsepro.com) assisting and are looking to add some potential star power such as Christian Cage, Edge, Taylor Wilde, Traci Brooks, etc. All depends on demand and timing with regards to the big companies (WWE/TNA)," Burt Hurt explained.

So, the details. The camp will run you $150 for the weekend. This includes all training, seminars, and meals. Your payment must be made by Paypal or cheque. By the end of the program, you should be familiar with cutting promos, ring psychology (ring positioning and timing), fundamentals such as holds, locks, takedowns, rolls, bumps, and running the ropes, and safety. You will be constantly evaluated. It will be run out of North York, at 320 Deerhide Crescent, M9M 2Y6, which is near Finch and Hwy. 400 (www.squaredcircletraining.com).

The interest has been encouraging so far, according to Silvers. "We are very encouraged by the interest so far. Spaces are going quickly. People should get their names in. If the demand is there, we'll do it again."

Whether you're a casual fan or a hardcore fan, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the business. One thing virtually everyone who attends a wrestling school comes away with is a deeper appreciation for what professional wrestlers endure to entertain us.

Mark Xamin invites you to discuss wrestling at Mywrestlingforum.com, the hottest new wrestling community out there. You can bet on matches (with fake money of course), chat live with other members, and of course post on the forum! Mark is the administrator, and therefore it must be cool. Also, you can contact him at mark_xamin@yahoo.ca. Thank you and goodnight.